5 Cleveland Indians Top Prospects Deserving Of A Promotion
By Eric Pitcher
4. Yandy Diaz, 6-foot-2 185 pounds, Columbus Clippers
Yandy Diaz could be the next man up for the Indians.
Juan Uribe, 37, a 15-year veteran is currently manning the hot corner in Cleveland. He’s having a disappointing and with the Tribe off for the All-Star break, it may be the perfect time to call up Diaz.
Diaz didn’t start the year for the Clippers, he started the year in Class AA Akron where he hit .286 in 26 games. Since then it has been even better. In 52 games with the Clippers, Diaz is hitting .311 with four home runs and 18 RBIs.
Despite only hitting 41 extra base hits through his first 212 pro games, some scouts worry that Diaz may not have the bat speed needed to generate that useable pop, however the Indians think that the power will come once he learns to drive the ball.
Diaz is a very disciplined hitter that very rarely reaches out of his zone for the ball and he doesn’t try to to do much, with the flat path swing through the zone allows for him to drive the ball to every corner of the field.
With the way things are going for the Indians, nobody wants to mess up what they have, but if you can make the team even stronger than what they are why not go for it?
Calling up Diaz allows for more athleticism, and speed on the base path, at third base and in the box. With such soft hands and strong-arm, Diaz is the type of guy that can be utilized anywhere in the infield.
Being at the halfway point in the season and hitting above .300 the timing could not be better to replace the struggling Uribe.
Next: Triston McKenzie